Top 50 television shows ever made
by jaredclancy | created - 09 Jan 2013 | updated - 07 Apr 2013 | Public- Instant Watch Options
- Genres
- Movies or TV
- IMDb Rating
- In Theaters
- Release Year
- Keywords
1. The West Wing (1999–2006)
TV-14 | 42 min | Drama
Inside the lives of staffers in the West Wing of the White House.
Stars: Martin Sheen, Rob Lowe, Allison Janney, John Spencer
Votes: 85,533
2. Band of Brothers (2001)
TV-MA | 59 min | Drama, History, War
The story of Easy Company of the U.S. Army 101st Airborne Division and their mission in World War II Europe, from Operation Overlord to V-J Day.
Stars: Scott Grimes, Damian Lewis, Ron Livingston, Shane Taylor
Votes: 526,967
3. Rome (2005–2007)
TV-MA | 60 min | Action, Drama, Romance
A down-to-earth account of the lives of both illustrious and ordinary Romans set in the last days of the Roman Republic.
Stars: Kevin McKidd, Ray Stevenson, Polly Walker, Kerry Condon
Votes: 185,284
4. The Inbetweeners (2008–2010)
TV-14 | 25 min | Comedy
Follows four friends and their antics during their final years of school.
Stars: Simon Bird, James Buckley, Blake Harrison, Joe Thomas
Votes: 94,347
5. 30 Rock (2006–2013)
TV-14 | 22 min | Comedy
Liz Lemon, head writer of the sketch-comedy show "TGS with Tracy Jordan", must deal with an arrogant new boss and a crazy new star while trying to run a successful television show without losing her mind.
Stars: Tina Fey, Alec Baldwin, Tracy Morgan, Jack McBrayer
Votes: 131,961
6. The IT Crowd (2006–2013)
TV-14 | 25 min | Comedy
The comedic misadventures of Roy, Moss and their grifting supervisor Jen, a rag-tag team of IT support workers at a large corporation headed by a hotheaded yuppie.
Stars: Chris O'Dowd, Richard Ayoade, Katherine Parkinson, Matt Berry
Votes: 164,354
7. The Shield (2002–2008)
TV-MA | 45 min | Crime, Drama, Thriller
Drama series following the lives and cases of dirty cop Vic Mackey and the corrupt LAPD unit under his command.
Stars: Michael Chiklis, Catherine Dent, Walton Goggins, Michael Jace
Votes: 88,075
8. Community (2009–2015)
TV-14 | 22 min | Comedy
A suspended lawyer is forced to enroll in a community college with an eccentric staff and student body.
Stars: Joel McHale, Danny Pudi, Donald Glover, Chevy Chase
Votes: 293,387
9. Extras (2005–2007)
TV-MA | 30 min | Comedy, Drama
Andy Millman is an actor with ambition and a script. Reduced to working as an extra with a useless agent, Andy's attempts to boost his career invariably end in failure and embarrassment.
Stars: Ricky Gervais, Ashley Jensen, Stephen Merchant, Shaun Williamson
Votes: 60,381
10. Arrested Development (2003–2019)
TV-14 | 22 min | Comedy
Level-headed son Michael Bluth takes over family affairs after his father is imprisoned. But the rest of his spoiled, dysfunctional family are making his job unbearable.
Stars: Jason Bateman, Michael Cera, Portia de Rossi, Will Arnett
Votes: 324,123
11. Game of Thrones (2011–2019)
TV-MA | 60 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
Nine noble families fight for control over the lands of Westeros, while an ancient enemy returns after being dormant for millennia.
Stars: Emilia Clarke, Peter Dinklage, Kit Harington, Lena Headey
Votes: 2,283,491
12. Firefly (2002–2003)
TV-14 | 45 min | Adventure, Drama, Sci-Fi
Five hundred years in the future, a renegade crew aboard a small spacecraft tries to survive as they travel the unknown parts of the galaxy and evade warring factions as well as authority agents out to get them.
Stars: Nathan Fillion, Gina Torres, Alan Tudyk, Morena Baccarin
Votes: 281,650
13. Boston Legal (2004–2008)
TV-14 | 44 min | Comedy, Crime, Drama
Boston Legal is a spin-off of the long-running David E. Kelley series The Practice (1997), following the exploits of former Practice character Alan Shore (James Spader) at the legal firm of Crane, Poole, and Schmidt.
Stars: James Spader, William Shatner, Candice Bergen, Rene Auberjonois
Votes: 49,999
14. South Park (1997– )
TV-MA | 22 min | Animation, Comedy
Follows the misadventures of four irreverent grade-schoolers in the quiet, dysfunctional town of South Park, Colorado.
Stars: Trey Parker, Matt Stone, Isaac Hayes, Mona Marshall
Votes: 405,830
15. Battlestar Galactica (2004–2009)
TV-14 | 45 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
When an old enemy, the Cylons, resurface and obliterate the 12 colonies, the crew of the aged Galactica protect a small civilian fleet - the last of humanity - as they journey toward the fabled 13th colony, Earth.
Stars: Edward James Olmos, Mary McDonnell, Jamie Bamber, James Callis
Votes: 175,512
16. Seinfeld (1989–1998)
TV-PG | 22 min | Comedy
The continuing misadventures of neurotic New York City stand-up comedian Jerry Seinfeld and his equally neurotic New York City friends.
Stars: Jerry Seinfeld, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Michael Richards, Jason Alexander
Votes: 351,325
17. NYPD Blue (1993–2005)
TV-14 | 45 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
Detectives from NYPD's 15th Precinct investigate homicides within their precinct.
Stars: Dennis Franz, Jimmy Smits, Gordon Clapp, James McDaniel
Votes: 16,330
18. The Borgias (2011–2013)
TV-MA | 50 min | Crime, Drama, History
In the fifteenth century, Pope Alexander VI tries to control all power in Italy with the help of his several sons, through murder, intrigue, war, and marriage alliances.
Stars: Jeremy Irons, François Arnaud, Holliday Grainger, Peter Sullivan
Votes: 53,933
19. The Simpsons (1989– )
TV-14 | 22 min | Animation, Comedy
The satiric adventures of a working-class family in the misfit city of Springfield.
Stars: Dan Castellaneta, Nancy Cartwright, Harry Shearer, Julie Kavner
Votes: 435,728
20. Parks and Recreation (2009–2015)
TV-14 | 22 min | Comedy
The absurd antics of an Indiana town's public officials as they pursue sundry projects to make their city a better place.
Stars: Amy Poehler, Jim O'Heir, Nick Offerman, Chris Pratt
Votes: 287,895
21. The Office (2001–2003)
TV-MA | 30 min | Comedy, Drama
The story of an office that faces closure when the company decides to downsize its branches. A documentary film crew follow staff and the manager David Brent as they continue their daily lives.
Stars: Ricky Gervais, Martin Freeman, Mackenzie Crook, Lucy Davis
Votes: 123,128
22. The Larry Sanders Show (1992–1998)
TV-MA | 30 min | Comedy
A comedic behind the scenes look at a late night talk show.
Stars: Garry Shandling, Jeffrey Tambor, Wallace Langham, Rip Torn
Votes: 9,378
23. Fawlty Towers (1975–1979)
TV-PG | 30 min | Comedy
Hotel owner Basil Fawlty's incompetence, short fuse, and arrogance form a combination that ensures accidents and trouble are never far away.
Stars: John Cleese, Prunella Scales, Andrew Sachs, Connie Booth
Votes: 100,125
24. Generation Kill (2008)
TV-MA | 10 min | Drama, War
A Rolling Stone reporter, embedded with The 1st Recon Marines chronicles his experiences during the first wave of the American-led assault on Baghdad in 2003.
Stars: Alexander Skarsgård, James Ransone, Lee Tergesen, Jon Huertas
Votes: 59,192
25. House of Lies (2012–2016)
TV-MA | 28 min | Comedy, Drama
Charming, fast-talking Marty Kaan and his crack team of management consultants use every dirty trick in the book to woo powerful CEOs and close huge deals in this scathing, irreverent satire of corporate America today.
Stars: Don Cheadle, Kristen Bell, Ben Schwartz, Josh Lawson
Votes: 26,381
26. Undeclared (2001–2003)
TV-14 | 404 min | Comedy
College freshman Steve Karp, his girlfriend and their fellow dormmates embark on one of the greatest experiences of their lives. Unfortunately for Steve, his lonely and recently divorced father is tagging along for the ride.
Stars: Jay Baruchel, Carla Gallo, Charlie Hunnam, Monica Keena
Votes: 17,488
27. The O.C. (2003–2007)
TV-PG | 44 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance
A troubled youth becomes embroiled in the lives of a close-knit group of people in the wealthy, upper-class neighborhood of Newport Beach, Orange County, California.
Stars: Mischa Barton, Adam Brody, Peter Gallagher, Kelly Rowan
Votes: 96,155
28. Eastbound & Down (2009–2013)
TV-MA | 28 min | Comedy, Drama, Sport
Many years after he turned his back on his hometown, a burned-out major league ballplayer returns to teach Physical Education at his old middle school.
Stars: Danny McBride, Steve Little, Katy Mixon Greer, Elizabeth De Razzo
Votes: 64,094
29. Better Off Ted (2009–2010)
TV-PG | 30 min | Comedy, Sci-Fi
In an amoral science-based company, a manager tries to keep control of his scientists while being pressured by his shrewd boss.
Stars: Jay Harrington, Portia de Rossi, Andrea Anders, Jonathan Slavin
Votes: 27,343
30. Black Books (2000–2004)
TV-PG | 25 min | Comedy
Bernard Black runs a book shop, though his customer service skills leave something to be desired. He hires Manny as an employee. Fran runs the shop next door. Between the three of them many adventures ensue.
Stars: Dylan Moran, Bill Bailey, Tamsin Greig, Paul Beech
Votes: 61,919
31. Blackadder (1982–1983)
TV-PG | 195 min | Comedy
In the Middle Ages, Prince Edmund the Black Adder constantly schemes and endeavors to seize the crown from his father and brother.
Stars: Rowan Atkinson, Brian Blessed, Elspet Gray, Tim McInnerny
Votes: 41,064
32. Life's Too Short (2011–2013)
TV-MA | 30 min | Comedy
The show centers on Warwick Davis in his day-to-day life, complete with the frustrations he faces.
Stars: Warwick Davis, Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant, Rosamund Hanson
Votes: 16,470
33. I'm Alan Partridge (1997–2002)
TV-MA | 30 min | Comedy
A failed television presenter, now presenting a programme on local desperately tries to revive his broadcasting career.
Stars: Steve Coogan, Simon Greenall, Felicity Montagu, Phil Cornwell
Votes: 21,966
34. Top Gear (2002–2022)
TV-PG | 60 min | Adventure, Sport, Talk-Show
The hosts talk about everything car-related. From new cars to how they're fueled, this show has it all.
Stars: Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, James May, The Stig
Votes: 126,676
35. QI (2003– )
TV-PG | 30 min | Comedy, Game-Show
A comedy panel game in which being Quite Interesting is more important than being right. Sandi Toksvig is joined each week by four comedians to share anecdotes and trivia, and maybe answer some questions as well.
Stars: Alan Davies, Stephen Fry, Sandi Toksvig, Bill Bailey
Votes: 33,616
36. The Daily Show (1996– )
TV-14 | 22 min | Comedy, News, Talk-Show
A comedy news show featuring humorous takes on top stories.
Stars: Jon Stewart, Trevor Noah, Stephen Colbert, Roy Wood Jr.
Votes: 48,181
37. The Muppet Show (1976–1981)
TV-G | 30 min | Comedy, Family, Musical
Kermit the Frog and his fellow Muppets put on a vaudeville show at their theatre, bringing in a famous celebrity to help out for each episode.
Stars: Jim Henson, Frank Oz, Richard Hunt, Dave Goelz
Votes: 26,235
38. The Transformers (1984–1987)
TV-Y7 | 30 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
Two opposing factions of transforming alien robots engage in a battle that has the fate of Earth in the balance.
Stars: Frank Welker, Peter Cullen, Corey Burton, Christopher Collins
Votes: 23,539
39. Man vs. Wild (2006–2020)
TV-PG | 60 min | Adventure, Reality-TV
Bear Grylls travels the world in search of challenges to his survival skills.
Stars: Bear Grylls, Chris Kratt, Will Ferrell, Joe Rest
Votes: 23,269
40. The Ricky Gervais Show (2010–2012)
TV-MA | 30 min | Animation, Comedy, Talk-Show
Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant talk to Karl Pilkington about important things in life whilst Karl provides anything but intelligent answers. Comedy at its finest with wonderful animation.
Votes: 17,150
41. Man v. Food (2008– )
TV-G | 30 min | Reality-TV
Host Adam Richman (and subsequently Casey Webb) travels around the U.S., taking on a variety of local eating challenges involving meal size, spiciness and other daunting factors.
Stars: Adam Richman, Casey Webb, Gladys Knight, Andrew Zimmern
Votes: 7,430
42. Count Duckula (1988–1993)
TV-Y | 22 min | Animation, Comedy, Family
The misadventures of a vegetarian vampire duck and his servants.
Stars: Barry Clayton, Jack May, Brian Trueman, David Jason
Votes: 4,227
43. Da Ali G Show (2000–2004)
TV-MA | 30 min | Comedy
Sacha Baron Cohen provides an inimitable mix of global reportage and celebrity chat via his characters Ali G, Borat Sagdiyev and Brüno Gehard.
Stars: Sacha Baron Cohen, T.N.T. Crew, Steve Ellington
Votes: 18,281
44. Get Smart (1965–1970)
TV-G | 25 min | Action, Adventure, Comedy
Maxwell Smart, a highly intellectual but bumbling spy working for the CONTROL agency, battles the evil forces of rival spy agency KAOS with the help of his competent partner Agent 99.
Stars: Don Adams, Barbara Feldon, Edward Platt, Robert Karvelas
Votes: 13,783
45. Friday Night Dinner (2011–2020)
TV-14 | 24 min | Comedy
Two siblings share their Friday-night dinners at their parents' home and, somehow, something always goes wrong.
Stars: Tamsin Greig, Simon Bird, Paul Ritter, Tom Rosenthal
Votes: 22,181
46. Naked News (1999– )
TV-MA | 60 min | Comedy, News, Reality-TV
Female anchors strip fully naked as they present the news.
Stars: Brandy Dawley, Misha Highstead, Dawne Furey, Natasha Olenski
Votes: 859
47. The Jerry Springer Show (1991–2018)
Not Rated | 60 min | Comedy, Talk-Show
Among his peers' other talk-shows, Jerry's is of the more passionate and of the more sensational. His topics range from bisexual affairs to rape. His guests are more believable than some other talk-shows.
Stars: Jerry Springer, Peter A Kelly, Steve Wilkos, Chuck Conners
Votes: 4,697
48. Louis Theroux's Weird Weekends (1998–2000)
Not Rated | 60 min | Documentary
Louis Theroux documents some of the US's most bizarre happenings, events and rituals, by getting involved himself.
Stars: Louis Theroux, David Paul, J.J. Michaels, Randy James
Votes: 3,329
49. Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares (2004–2014)
TV-14 | 60 min | Reality-TV
British reality series in which world-renowned chef Gordon Ramsay visits struggling restaurants in an effort to help them succeed.
Stars: Gordon Ramsay, Laurence Davy, Neil Farrell, Daniela Bayfield
Votes: 6,609
Tell Your Friends